Stuffed Up Nostrils

I'm not sure but I think my ducks are perhaps a little stuffed up? I hope they're not coming down with something. I keep their brooder bedding dry and clean. Should I be disinfecting as well? Water is always fresh and warm. Brooder temp is spot on. The only thing I think is off is they all huddle together on the far side of the brooder where it's 65 to 70 degree, opposite from the lamp.

I noticed one of the ducks had a little something in one nostril and thought perhaps it was some food. It's the color of the crumbles I'm giving them. Then noticed three of the ducks have this happening in just one nostril each. Of course, came on here to research and read up on potential situations and how to handle it. I tried clearing the nostril with a tooth pick. Tried taking a wet cotton swab to wipe it. Used a turkey baster to blow water into the nostril and then try to suck it out. Put the duck in a deeper warm water bath in the bathroom sink to try and get it to clear naturally. Didn't work. This seemed useless as they have water deep enough to submerge their beaks in the brooder anyways.

They're all acting normally. Eating and drinking. Bathing when I let them. There are a few sneezes here and there. More than the other day when I posted asking about sneezes. But everything I've read here says a stuffed up nostril is no good and needs to be addressed. I feel at a loss for clearing their nostrils. Does the picture below look like something bad? Is there a medicine I should be administering?

I see and hear them blowing in the 1 gallon poultry waterer I have in there at all times. And then I give them 5 to 10 minutes of bath time in a 2" deep little Rubbermaid bin thing. I just cut a piece out of the top so they could dunk their heads in whenever they want. It's a bit deeper than the waterer.

I would be careful using anything to try to get yuck out of their nares. You may need to give them some extra time in water in a tub, brooder temperature water, up to their bellies.... mine would torpedo through the water, get good and wet....as long as they don't get too tuckered out, and get put back into a warm dry brooder after bath time, with help drying off if needed.

It's tricky to know when you need to hit the panic button with ducks and ducklings. They could just have stuff in their nostrils, they could have the beginnings of a respiratory problem....

Glad you are watching closely. If you have a vet who can help, that might not be a bad idea.

So, I took Cal to the vet on Saturday with what I thought was an upper respiratory infection. He was wheezing, had clogged nares, and mouth breathing. It turns out he has a small hole in the soft pallet of his mouth. He eats, drinks, poops, and plays wonderfully but it only seemed to be getting worse so naturally I worried for him. With that being said, I flush his nares with normal saline in a teeny tiny cannula, that I bought from the vet, every morning and night (his nares get clogged every time he eats due to the hole). I'm also treating him with an antibiotic, from the vet, twice a day for ten days just in case an upper respiratory infection was concurrently developing also. I'm hoping he'll grow into it, although there's always a chance it could get worse too. As long as he continues to thrive, the small hole really doesn't even matter because I'll give him special care for the rest of his life if that is what he needs from me

Thanks for the replies. It's much appreciated. Ok my little ones are running around this morning eating and drinking and making a mess with droppings (which look what Id call normal) and dunking their heads in the little bin I put in for them. Other than some sneezes nothing seems out of the ordinary. Of a fresh layer of Brewers yeast on their food and put a pinch of the BVS vitamins into a fresh gallon of water. Keeping a close eye on them.

They all like to lay and huddle together in the corner where it's 65 degrees. I put the divided back in to keep them closer to the brooder lamp.

Does mouth opening indicate anything? Like really quick split second yawns. It's not consistent and wasn't as if they were trying to breathe through theIr mouths. Just saw a couple of them do that last night.

Thanks again. I'm just trying to take it all in and learn and provide these guys with comfort and happiness.

Thanks for the replies. It's much appreciated. Ok my little ones are running around this morning eating and drinking and making a mess with droppings (which look what Id call normal) and dunking their heads in the little bin I put in for them. Other than some sneezes nothing seems out of the ordinary. Of a fresh layer of Brewers yeast on their food and put a pinch of the BVS vitamins into a fresh gallon of water. Keeping a close eye on them.

They all like to lay and huddle together in the corner where it's 65 degrees. I put the divided back in to keep them closer to the brooder lamp.

Does mouth opening indicate anything? Like really quick split second yawns. It's not consistent and wasn't as if they were trying to breathe through theIr mouths. Just saw a couple of them do that last night.

Thanks again. I'm just trying to take it all in and learn and provide these guys with comfort and happiness.

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Keep in mind, all was well with mine as well. Eating, drinking, pooping, and playing but he still has this going on right now that I am taking care of for him. Yawning is completely normal, mouth breathing is not. Mine was also doing that because of his clogged nare. Another thing, ducks will pant just like dogs when they get hot. The thing that worries me most about yours is that first it was one duckling and now it's three ducklings. Like I said, upper respiratory infections are contagious.

I saw you had another post about this as well. Sneezing in their water to clear their nares is perfectly normal and they will do this as babies as well as adults. The things to look out for, with a sickness are: clogged nares, watery eyes, wheezing, and mouth breathing. Again, yawning is normal as well. Mouth breathing is more an open to breathe then close, then open to breathe again then close again, then open to breathe again then close again. Your first post wouldn't have alarmed me at all with 'duckling sneezes', it's this post that did with 'stuffed nostrils'. Keep a close eye on them.

Thanks a bunch Amanda. That was my next question... What are the additional signs of respiratory infection that I should be on the lookout for? They aren't panting. Not mouth breathing. I hear no wheezing. Sneezes happen every now and again both when they are at the waterer and when they are huddled up together. But it's not an alarming amount. A big part of this is me worrying too much, yes, but I want the little guys to be healthy.

Thanks a bunch Amanda. That was my next question... What are the additional signs of respiratory infection that I should be on the lookout for? They aren't panting. Not mouth breathing. I hear no wheezing. Sneezes happen every now and again both when they are at the waterer and when they are huddled up together. But it's not an alarming amount. A big part of this is me worrying too much, yes, but I want the little guys to be healthy.